I don’t usually come into contact with Valentine’s Day. I have no radio at college, and I don’t watch TV. This might account for my unusual detachment. My only opinion on it is that it sounds stressful. It reminds me of American Thanksgiving that way: an occasion that, as a couple, you can’t get out of and you can’t avoid, so you have to do something - so you end up stressed out, disappointed, or both. Of course, I could be wrong.

This year’s different. I’m on placement with a GP this month, so I’m driving in and out each day with the radio on. I’m living at home and don’t have to negotiate TV times with my flatmates (I can just hit my brother until he gives me the remote). So it’s been in my face a bit – and never more so than this morning, when I went shopping for my mother. I had to buy groceries and a Valentine’s card from her to my dad, because that is the kind of family I have.

The range of cards was pretty sickening, I must admit. All pink and red and sparkly – I have glitter in my car and on my clothes, shoes and hair, just from one little splodge of it. I don’t know what self-respecting man would enjoy getting a card like the one I bought (three shades of pink, obscene quantities of said glitter, featuring a rabbit torturing a loveheart with an arrow). I don’t know what self-respecting woman would enjoy getting a card like it, come to that.

But the day wasn’t a total bust. I forgot my Laser card, but I had ten quid in my pocket – just enough to buy a copy of Atonement. I wanted On Chesil Beach too, but alas, the magic money-stretching properties of Laser are not contiguous with those of my handbag. The range in town is quite poor – I’m not sure people around here can actually read, for one thing – which was in my favour. I’ve been avoiding Atonement because I didn’t like the storyline. Now I have no option. Well, I do, and that option is to continue reading The Redemption of Althalus. My mother bought it for me when I was about fifteen because it has a cat on the cover. Even then I thought it was atrocious. Now, I have to stop every three lines and actually say, “What An Awful Book.” I’ve even stooped to crossing out every ‘pet’ from Dweia’s dialogue, and defacing books isn’t something I did even when I was little.

I used a normal card that had a book and a quill on it. I've been in charge of putting out the V-Day cards for the last week, and if I see any more pink, red and hearts ever again, it will be too soon.

That said, we had a nice one, which was black with a tiny red heart in the centre. I liked that one.

I believe your lovelust appreciation of Nicholas Hoult is shared by everyone on the planet*. There was a pic spam here a while back, and I think I used him as Will Stanton (from 'The Dark is Rising') in a manip a while back. Yes, I did. It's here.

*shudders* Fortunately I was spared such sights. I think they all must have been up at Tesco.

I'm only up to S1x6, but I'm comfortable enough with that - they aren't bringing seasons out crazy fast, like they do the American shows I watch. It reminds me of Entourage, a little. And yay Tony/Maxie!

I heard the opening scene was very raunchy, which makes me apprehensive. I watch costume drama to get away from the raunch. Still, everyone looks very sweet and English, so I should be okay. Plus, Andrew Davies.

Yeah... I'm not much one for Valentines day. My parents always get eachother cards, but I've never celebrated it. I think it would mean much more if "generic significant other" said "Hey, it's a tuesday. I love you. Here's a rose, because, gawsh, you're worth the time it took for me to surprise you" rather than "Here's a box of overpriced chocolates on February the fourteenth because everyone else is doing it"

I dunno. I've always felt that way. Dad called me cynical this morning.

I have to say I love Tony best. C'mon. He's way hot and he kissed a boy! And the first ep - when he was shimmying down the drainpipe to mess with his dad's head - well. I can't say I like how he acts, but it's certainly interesting. As Michelle says.

I'm on S1x6, but I'm firmly resolved not to dl any more till after my path oral next week. It's too bloody distracting!

Wow, you got a present on V-day? I wish that were the custom here. I just got a lecture from my mum on how I don't put myself out there and that's why I'm alone and single and sad. So that was fun.

I'm more into Persuasion myself, but any Jane Austen is good for Valentine's Day. And the newer versions made this past year were very good. Although, my favorite Persuasion is still the 1995 version, it was just so sad and painful to watch her watching Captain W. Nevertheless, Rupert Penry-Jones was too yummilicious to pass up!